I am one of Dan's city cousins. I thought that I would share some of family roots. Dan and I share grandparents through our mothers. Oscar and Ruth Allen had a patch of ground, a house and a barn in southwest Belle Plaine near Funk's G corn. The house did not have running water, sewer, central heat or air conditioning. Thanks to Dan being born, the outhouse did have a kids hole to reduce risk. The house did have a set of hand pumps in the kitchen. One was for well water and one was for soft cistern water. Dan did try to convince his city cousins that was for cold and one was for hot. Hot took a lot of pumping and only had a pale to catch the running water. Grandma's basement was a dirt cellar with the smell of potato, soft apples and creepy things. Dan didn't stay with us much at night because the farm had more modern conveniences and Grandma's had a slop bucket. The Allers farmhouse had a phone but city cousins kept picking it up when our cousins didn't. They a ring for each house on the party line. Grandma's phone had a lady that talked to you and asked bout Grandma and who you wanted to call. Grandma's house and garden always seemed like Ma and Pa Kettle to his city cousins.
I did help Dan break a horse called Blackie. I opened the gate for Dan to take Blackie into the paddock, I closed the gate, I watched Dan ride an unhappy Blackie until both were exhausted, I opened the gate for Dan to take the horse back into the barn, and I closed the gate. Dan may not have noticed which city cousin helped. I think that Dan may have been showing off. If so, it worked.
Dan ran a crew of de-tasselers for Funks. He helped me find an apartment when I moved to Cedar Rapids in 1974. I helped him make collections for Thrift Plan when he worked there in the 70's. I got drunk with him when aunts remarried. Still have his card from when he was the Window Doctor. Before Dan was an expert packer of valuables, I helped Dan pick up a big load of furniture he bought for apartment with Jo. He pulled me out of a pool game at Old Town Inn to use my pickup. We loaded all the furniture for the one single trip that I told him I would make. The load was several feet above my pickup cab. We tied it down as best as we could and headed across Cedar Rapids. We got to his apartment and were pretty proud of ourselves. Jo showed up a few minutes later with the cushions that had blown out of our load. It was good that Jo was following and that the Interstate did not exist yet.
Thanks Dan for the memories and the love cousins share.
steve gannon
August 22, 2023
Jo, I'm so sorry to hear about Dan's passing. He was such a caring and kind person. I enjoyed the many times we spoke at Red Wing Collectors Society events and on the phone. My deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time.
Stacy Wegner
Stacy Wegner
August 20, 2023
My deepest sympathy to you, Jo. And to Peggy and all his family and friends. I’ve known Dan since kindergarten. He was a swell guy.
Ellen (Cantwell) Stevens.
Ellen Stevens
August 19, 2023
My deepest sympathy to you, Jo. And to Peggy and all his family and friends. I’ve known Dan since kindergarten. He was a swell guy.
Ellen (Cantwell) Stevens.
Ellen Stevens
August 19, 2023
Jo, thinking of you in this difficult time. Our deepest sympathy to you, family and friends ??
Connie and Tony Peacock
August 18, 2023
Jo, Peggy and family - Our deepest sympathy to all who knew and loved Dan. He was a wonderful person who cared deeply for others. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in eternal peace. God Bless.
Don and Sandy (Allen) Gibney
August 18, 2023
Jo, Peggy and family - Our deepest sympathy to all who knew and loved Dan. He was a wonderful person who cared deeply for others. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in eternal peace. God Bless.
Don and Sandy (Allen) Gibney
August 18, 2023
Jo, Peggy and family - Our deepest sympathy to all who knew and loved Dan. He was a wonderful person who cared deeply for others. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in eternal peace. God Bless.
Don and Sandy (Allen) Gibney
August 18, 2023
Jo, Peggy and family - Our deepest sympathy to all who knew and loved Dan. He was a wonderful person who cared deeply for others. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in eternal peace. God Bless.
Don and Sandy (Allen) Gibney
August 18, 2023
My heartfelt condolences Jo
Delanna Gradwell
August 18, 2023
I am so sorry to hear of Dan's passing. I worked with him at Midwest Metal Products. He was always quick with a story and a laugh; I enjoyed our conversations. There are no words of comfort that will ease the ache in your heart but know that he touched many lives and will be remembered fondly by so, so many.
Kali Sanborn
August 18, 2023
Remembering Dan in his dark green van driving by with a friendly wave. It was probably loaded with stoneware treasurers. Enjoyed seeing his smile at our auctions. May the memories you two made carry through to help lessen the pain. May you find comfort in your fond memories of Dan that never fade away. He will be missed but not nearly as much as he will be remembered.
Kenny & Phyllis Jones
August 17, 2023
I had the pleasure of working with Dan during his time at Midwest Metal Products. He was a fantastic co-worker and person and a friend to all.
He performed very precise and exacting assembly of complex aerospace components. His product knowledge and quality record was impressive and impeccable. He was willing to help anyone and shared his knowledge willingly. We made a miniature stainless steel model of his primary machine tool that he used and presented it to him at retirement.
He is the only person we have ever done that for, to show the appreciation we all had for him.
Dan was never at a loss for words and his laugh and sense of humor were contagious.
On behalf of everyone at Midwest Metal Products, our condolences to his immediate family and extended family and friends everywhere.
We will not forget you Dan!
Kevin Urban
August 17, 2023